How the NFL playoff picture looks heading toward Week 14

The NFL is working its way through Week 13 and the playoff picture continues to gain some clarity. There are a ton of questions remaining, but we actually will head into Week 14 with our first clinching scenario. With their win on Sunday over the Falcons, the Bucs can clinch the NFC South title next weekend. They would need a win, a Saints loss, and a Falcons win over the Panthers. Tampa holds the key tiebreaker thanks to a sweep of the Falcons.

We had a huge upset in the NFC North as the Lions stunned the Vikings on the final play of the game. Detroit gave up a late score to Minnesota but then Jared Goff threw a game-winning touchdown pass on 4th and 2 and zeroes on the clock. The Vikings remain in the NFC wild card race, but this a brutal loss.

The biggest win of the 1 p.m. slate saw the Chargers beat the Bengals in rather impressive fashion. LA moves into a tie with Cincinnati and gets the key head-to-head tiebreaker with the win.

4:05/4:25 p.m. update: The Steelers beat the Ravens when they stopped a last-second two-point conversion attempt. Baltimore drops from first to third in the conference. The Seahawks beat the 49ers, making a goal line stand of their own. With Washington beat the Raiders, Washington moves into sixth place and the 49ers drop to seventh place.

SNF update: The Chiefs beat the Broncos 22-9 to close out Sunday. We have a four-way tie atop the AFC among the four division-leaders, with the Patriots facing the Bills to close out Week 13 on Monday.

MNF update: The Patriots beat the Bills to take a half game lead for the No. 1 seed. Buffalo drops from fifth to seventh.

Here’s a look at what the playoff picture looks like after Week 14.

AFC playoff picture

1. New England Patriots, 9-4
2. Tennessee Titans, 8-4
3. Baltimore Ravens, 8-4
4. Kansas City Chiefs, 8-4

5. Los Angeles Chargers, 7-5
6. Cincinnati Bengals, 7-5
7. Buffalo Bills, 7-5

Outside looking in: Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5-1), Indianapolis Colts (7-6), Las Vegas Raiders (6-6), Cleveland Browns (6-6), Denver Broncos (6-6), Miami Dolphins (6-7)

NFC playoff picture

1. Arizona Cardinals, 10-2
2. Green Bay Packers, 9-3
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 9-3
4. Dallas Cowboys, 8-4

5. Los Angeles Rams, 8-4
6. Washington Football Team, 6-6
7. San Francisco 49ers, 6-6

Outside looking in: Philadelphia Eagles (6-7), Minnesota Vikings (5-7), Carolina Panthers (5-7), Atlanta Falcons (5-7), New Orleans Saints (5-7), New York Giants (4-8), Chicago Bears (4-8)